Dividing Boston series lifts Sox

An 11 1/2-game lead in the American League Central with 10 weeks remaining in the season would seem cozy, but the White Sox displayed a rare sense of urgency Sunday.

They used five relievers to secure a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox that was highlighted by the return of clutch hitting.

The Sox scored four of their six runs with two outs to give starter Jose Contreras a decent cushion against the AL's top offense.

But it nearly wasn't enough because of two walks in the ninth by reliever Damaso Marte, who could be dealt to Florida as part of an attempt to land hard-throwing starting pitcher A.J. Burnett.

"[Marte] had the chance to come in and save the game but couldn't get the job done," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I don't mind if you give up home runs or base hits, but when you start walking guys, especially late in the game, it gets you in trouble."

Guillen deemed the situation urgent enough to employ Dustin Hermanson, who yielded an RBI single to slugger Manny Ramirez but retired the final two batters to notch his 23rd save and give the Sox a split of their four-game series with the defending World Series champions.

"We had one guy left in the pen (rookie Bobby Jenks)," Guillen said. "It's a good thing Hermy did the job."

Despite a 3-4 homestand, the Sox were satisfied with the split.

"We know it was a big series for us because of what we did against Detroit (1-2), not the fact that Boston was coming in," said Cliff Politte, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. "[The Red Sox] are the World Series champions, and we just wanted to show we can play well."

Paul Konerko received a semi-break by handling the designated hitter duties for only the third time this season and sparked the offense with a two-run double in the first inning.

The Sox were 9-for-49 with runners in scoring position (.184) before going 3-for-6 in that situation Sunday.

But Konerko was reluctant to declare that greater times are ahead for the Sox, who open a three-game series at Kansas City, against whom they're 9-0 this season.

"You catch teams at different times," Konerko said. "With our pitching, bullpen and starters, I think we can play with anybody. But we've known that [since] early [in the season]."

Tadahito Iguchi snapped a 3-for-17 slump with three hits, including a two-run opposite-field home run in the second and an RBI single in the seventh.

That insurance run and the use of five relievers showed the Sox seemed eager to win at all costs with an eye toward getting some rest before the playoffs.

"If we have the opportunity to clinch it early, we could do it early," Politte said. "There's no need to wait till the last week of the season.

"It's huge for us to split with those guys, get that game back and start winning some series and get it over with. There's no reason to let anyone linger around."

The Sox also aren't consumed with the July 31 trading deadline.

"When is it?" leadoff batter Scott Podsednik asked. "I couldn't tell you. Our job is out there between the lines. If they bring someone to help our club, great. If not, we feel we're ready."

Contreras (6-6) threw 116 pitches but limited Boston to three runs over 5 2/3 innings. He said he didn't feel he was pitching for his job in the rotation.

"I have no control over that," Contreras said. "When you dwell on things you can't control, you won't have success."

Marte had a similar take on his situation, but Konerko was more philosophical.

"If you're going to be in this business, your name usually comes up," Konerko said. "Usually because you're not playing well, you're run out of town. You play well, they can't pay you.

"But if you're going to get traded, another team wants you. You got to let the chips fall. You'll go nuts trying to figure it out."